Need help choosing a unit, s. california

[deckfluff]

I am in L.A. and have an 18+ year old Carrier, gas, central a/c package, with elect. start, on my roof. Some of the ducting, in my attic, was replaced when I got this unit. This heater wouldn't come on, a repairman said I could replace the "start" and get by for another couple of years but suggested I buy a new unit for efficiency, etc. I am getting 3 bids including one from sears. Sears bid, for a 3-ton/Kenmore with Puron, includes all new ducting and 3 year warranty. The other bids were 1/2 as much, using freon, but they didn't even look in the attic nor suggest new ducting.

Should I get a new unit using Puron, get new ducting, have the new ducting checked?

thank you, this site, so much.

[Edwin73]

I am in L.A. and have an 18+ year old Carrier, gas, central a/c package, with elect. start, on my roof. Some of the ducting, in my attic, was replaced when I got this unit. This heater wouldn't come on, a repairman said I could replace the "start" and get by for another couple of years but suggested I buy a new unit for efficiency, etc. I am getting 3 bids including one from sears. Sears bid, for a 3-ton/Kenmore with Puron, includes all new ducting and 3 year warranty. The other bids were 1/2 as much, using freon, but they didn't even look in the attic nor suggest new ducting.

Should I get a new unit using Puron, get new ducting, have the new ducting checked?

thank you, this site, so much.


How many other bids did u get?
"Freon" is a brand name for R-12, they aint using R-12, it would be R-22 or R-410A. Puron is Carrier's name for R-410A. Do the other proposals actually say freon?

[deckfluff]

thank you for the r410, i couldn't remember. yes, was offered a payne unit using r-22 but referred to as freon. also offered (last year's cheaper model) 3-ton rheem 13 seer (did not mention refrigerant, new ducting, testing, permits), and, 3rd bid offered a choice of models for 3-ton carrier but did not mention refrigerant, new ducting, testing, permits.